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Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
From introductions post straight to the tech section...Lol
Just bought the XJ. While driving it home I got 5 miles of a 45 minute trip and I noticed the temp gauge go past 210 and kept rising. In an instance I saw rad steam. Pulled over and found fluid spraying out the passenger tank. The plastic had cracked and was spraying fluid. On the plus side it was nice and green. Figure the plow didn't let enough air into the rad. Doesn'tlook like the electric fan is working either. But was stranded. Went to pick it up at 4:30 and got home at midnite. Did I mention I hit a deer with the tow vehicle towing an empty trailer. No damage, thankfully, just blood. Quite the nite.
But I digress.
I want to replace the rad with metal tanks instead of the stock plastic ones. Anyone have any experience with this rad and installation? Pros/Cons, easy install?
Many folks are happy with nothing "better" than the "Autozone special" (in other words - economy replacement model.) That one looks fine and if you are willing to spend the cash, can't complain about the metal tank.
Radiator install is pretty typical I'd guess. There's nothing notably hard about it.
Head over to Cruiser54.com -> Technical Manuals link and grab the Factory Service Manual for your 00. Also read up on the 0331 casting defect that is something to be well aware of.
Welcome to the forum!
I once had a deer run out in front of me while driving my TJ on the highway. State trooper probably saved me a world of pain by running radar a 1/4 mile prior since he cause me to slow down enough that the deer ran right over my lane. I watched it run smack into the trailer of an 18 wheeler in the next lane. The deer popped up in the air like a rag doll. I had blood spray all over my Jeep and had to veer to the right in the right hand lane to avoid the deer carcass falling on my Jeep.
The big rig pulled over, obviously, but since I wasn't involved I kept on driving. A couple weeks later there was a brand new "deer crossing" sign at that location.
Some of the parts stores have good warranties just try to get one that has a thicker core , the thicker the core is the better it will work , I have a Champion 2 row all aluminum radiator . Also check the fan clutch to make sure that it works .
I see alot of activity on this forum. Not sure if that's good or bad since I'm new to a Cherokee(but not Jeep)??
Grabbed the factory manual and also read about the 0331 head. Oboy. That article was less than encouraging. I read in another thread supposedly a person can see it leaking coolant by looking thru the oil filler hole? I'll try that. Obviously, I overheated it when I blew a crack in the plastic tank. Who knows what else happened during the past 19yrs.
I'm not one to buy bargain replacement parts only because I only like to fix things once, although, there are no guarantees. I bought the Jeep because I needed something to plow with since I sold my Ram and plow because we sold our 5th wheel. Needed a replacement and liked the Cherokee. It also handles way better than our 94 wrangler that's been built for offroading, but I use it on the highway too. The wife will be able to drive the Cherokee much easier. She also likes Jeepin.
My thoughts are to replace the rad, water pump, thermostat, rad cap, hoses and flush the cooling system unless I see it leaking thru the oil filler. Then I don't know what to do. I only paid $2200 with 207k. So I don't want to get too deep in spending if I have serious problems, like rod bearings etc...... My wrangler is the toy where I'm dumping a ton of money into. It does make some noise, haven't tried tracking it down yet, Cherokee.... My gut is saying, I wouldn't be surprised if the head is cracked. Although, I don't see milk anywhere. Nothing on the head when looking in the filler hole....
New tires, bat, fluids including diffs last fall. Done by a garage, previous owner brought it in....
Thoughts? Opinions?
ps. Deer are like rats around here since there is so many..
The A1193? Looking at what else they recommend is everything I want to replace. Know anything about the Duralast pump? Good or bad? Anyone here use it?
Some of the parts stores have good warranties just try to get one that has a thicker core , the thicker the core is the better it will work , I have a Champion 2 row all aluminum radiator . Also check the fan clutch to make sure that it works .
Fan clutch appears to be fine. Stopped instantly. Running at 210, same as my wrangler with a 4.0.
Interesting, I unplugged the fan from the sensor , the rpms increased slightly and a slight tick went away. Had the fuse out since it was blown. Plugged back in, rpms went down and tick started... tick is by rear of head on passenger side. Have more of a knock sound going on too... Heard that could be one of many things .
I want to replace the rad with metal tanks instead of the stock plastic ones. Anyone have any experience with this rad and installation? Pros/Cons, easy install?
Thanks!
I dont think the alloy ones last any longer than the plastic, sometimes much less.
make sure the tab/slots on the new radiator, that retain the fans, are in the right spot
I would change the water pump, might need the metal heater pipe that is screwed into the pump if yours is corroded, and thermostat
Well, dug into it today. Rad is ready to pull out. Just need the little tool to release the quick disconnect for the tranny line and it will come right out. Electric fan is basically seized. Ordered one of those too. New temp sensor, rad cap, plugs, filter. Changed oil. Will probably end up replacing the water pump too and rad hoses. Metal heater pipe is very corroded, needs replacing... Need to flush it yet....
Rad is just like the one from Advanced Auto except a little better price. Using OEM for everything...
When I did my radiator I did the following;
- 3 row all aluminum from eBay. A lot of people say the 2 row is more than sufficient.
- Hesco highflow waterpump. www.hesco.us
- Hesco highflow thermostat housing.
- I think I also bought the Hesco thermostat they supply.
- Silicone radiator hoses. HPS from Amazon.com
I also put an inline transmission fluid cooler in the stock option location.
- I added a transmission temperature gauge down by the 4wd shifter.